78. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Supply whether he will take steps to prevent the increasing deterioration which is taking place as regards those supplies, stored in the open, of hospital stores worth about £1000,000, including complete operating theatres, X-ray apparatus, drugs and all kinds of surgical supplies, previously the property of the U.S. authorities, now lying just outside Honeybourne, Worcestershire, which were handed over 798 in April, 1946, by the U.S. forces to his Department; and if, as regards those stored in a number of Nissen huts, he will get in touch with the Minister of Health, in view of the urgent requirements of many hospitals for these medical supplies and apparatus at the present time.
§ Mr. WilmotYes, Sir. Labour difficulties, which have delayed the uncrating, sorting and inspection of the stores, have now been overcome and we are doing everything possible to speed up disposal. Stores in the open are under protective covering, and are generally of types least likely to suffer deterioration. Many of the drugs and other supplies are, however, time expired, and will have to be scrapped. The Ministry of Health is at present selecting stores needed for hospitals.
Mr. De la BèreCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House why it has taken 10 months to get this valuable hospital apparatus sorted out, whether it is now possible to make arrangements for its allocation without further delay, how many men are employed on this work, and why it is not given priority?
§ Mr. WilmotYes, Sir. Twenty-five thousand tons of unsorted and unlisted stores were suddenly declared surplus, and the German prisoners working on it were withdrawn in order to assist local agriculture. That labour has now returned and the disposal of the material is proceeding.
§ Mr. BossomWould the Minister say whether any of this much needed and valuable equipment can be despatched at once without being applied for?